Skilled Trades
Diesel Mechanic
Service and repair diesel engines in trucks, buses, and heavy equipment. Specialist diesel techs earn premium rates.
no-degree-requiredhands-on
42
ROI · Moderate
Investment vs return
Cost · time · demand normalized 0–100
Salary progression
What you'll earn over your career
$42k
$58k
$85k
Entry
Mid-career
Senior
10-yr outlook
+3%
+3% (Average)
Open positions
28,000
Estimated nationwide
Entry paths
How to get here
Multiple paths lead to this career. Compare time, cost, online vs in-person delivery, and program links.
Fastest ROI
Trade School In Person
Diesel Tech Diploma + ASE Certs
Time
9–24 months
Cost
$6,000 – $28,000
OEM-specific programs (Cummins, CAT) lead to direct hires.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the program links above may be affiliate partnerships. If you enroll, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to programs we have actually reviewed against our methodology. See our methodology for how we evaluate schools.
Quick math
If you took the fastest path…
You'd train for
9–24 months
You'd spend (avg)
$17,000
Starting salary
$42,000
Mid-career
$58,000
Read more
Articles & resources
Sources: BLS OOH 2024 · ASE